Feeding Otis

I thought babies instinctively knew how to suck on a nipple. I thought they just jumped on, unaided. That it was easy! I was so wrong.

They say babies have a 2 hour window after birth in which they need to feed, so as to help establish breastfeeding. Because of the dramas that took place shortly after his arrival — I had a massive post-partum bleed — he missed this window. He was put on the breast about 4 hours after birth, and he was very sleepy and unable to properly latch on. I wasn't too worried at that point.

That day the midwives tried numerous times to latch him on, without any success. The nipple would just slip out of his mouth. So I was expressed by hand, and he was fed from a syringe. This continued for the next two days, and was possibly the most frustrating experience of my entire life. Not only did I feel like a failure, I also worried that there was something wrong with him, some sort of mental deficiency that was preventing him from knowing what to do. At about midnight on the second night I'd had enough, and got really teary. There seemed no end in sight, and I was afraid I'd have to feed him formula. A lovely midwife reassured me that it would get better, but, ever the pessimist, I didn't really believe her.

The lactation consultant Mandy was wonderful. I attended the breastfeeding class on day 2 and 3, and she took a real interest in Otis and I, and came to visit us a few times and have a go at latching him on. She encouraged lots of skin-to-skin contact — which meant I spent much of my days in hospital completely topless — and did manage to get him on properly for a minute or two, but he'd always slip off. Sensing my frustration, she suggested I go home on the Early Discharge Program. I am so glad I did!

For 5 days a midwife — the same one every time — came to visit us, and each time she assisted me in getting him on the boob. She introduced a nipple shield, which worked wonders. It allowed me to feed him stress-free! Lan was also very, very helpful, she was so patient with me and so positive. There were many tears shed, but one day, a few days after I'd started using the shield, I managed to latch him on the left boob without the shield! I cried tears of relief. I was so very proud of him at that moment. And of myself! And about a week ago today I finally rid myself of the shield altogether. Now there is no stopping him! He barely needs any assistance latching on, and is ravenous. I am so pleased I perservered, even though it was incredibly trying.